David Aponte Castro

Studies in Psychology with a focus on Restorative Justice (2024), holding a Master’s in International Law (2021) and a Bachelor’s in Political Science (2007). My research focuses on restorative justice, transitional justice, peace negotiations, and the application of AI and Big Data to academic research and strategic consulting. I bring extensive experience in social science research, particularly in transitional justice, peacebuilding, and human rights. Key roles include serving as an advisor to the Government-FARC Peace Talks, contributing to the 2016 Peace Agreement in Colombia, working with the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), and consulting for the United Nations on peace-related projects.

I have also contributed to innovative educational projects, integrating artificial intelligence to develop creative and ethical methodologies like gamification, project-based learning, and adaptive systems, enhancing personalized education. As a lecturer, I have taught diverse topics, including restorative practices, human rights, conflict resolution, international law, and research methodology, while advising undergraduate thesis projects. My professional trajectory includes organizing and coordinating international study visits, managing field meetings, and contributing to historical clarification efforts in regions affected by conflict.

Selected publications:

Canal A., M., Aponte Castro, D., & Puerta, M. (2025). Santos: The Nobel Peace Prize winner who achieved an agreement with the oldest guerrilla group in Colombia In R. Smolinski & P. Kesting (Eds.), Negotiators who changed the world: Lessons on leadership and negotiation (in press). Springer Nature.

Canal A., M., Aponte, D.(2025)[Reflections on the early implementation of the peace agreement between the Colombian Government and the FARC-EP]. Original: Reflexiones sobre la implementación temprana del acuerdo de paz entre el Gobierno colombiano y las FARC-EP

Diálogos con el Ejército d[e Liberación Nacional en prospectiva [Dialogues with the National Liberation Army from a forward-looking perspective] In: C. Mouly & E. Hernández Delgado (Eds.), Una paz aplazada, pero urgente y necesaria (pp. 177-202). Peter Lang

Canal A., M., Kesting, P., Aponte, D. and Smolinski, R. (2023), Possibilities and limits of procedural and distributive justice in complex conflicts: a study of the Colombian peace process, International Journal of Conflict Management, 2023